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Newspaper staff come in for praise at excellence awards

Northern Echo editor Peter Barron is among eight senior staff singled out for praise for their exceptional accomplishments at the 2005 Newsquest Excellence Awards.

The awards recognise achievement by people who have performed in a demanding and competitive environment.

The success of each candidate took into account the year’s downturn in the economy, resulting in difficult trading conditions.

Hosted by Eileen Opie, regional managing director for Wales and Gloucestershire, the event was the fourth to be organised by Newsquest and featured eight categories including, publisher, finance, advertisement sales, print, IT, editors and newspaper sales.

A prize was also presented for Sales Executive of the Year.

Held at the headquarters of the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London, the awards were presented by Newsquest directors and chief executive Paul Davidson.

The eight winners of Newsquest Excellence Awards were:

PUBLISHER
Simon Dixon-Phillip, Newsquest (Cornwall)

Judges said: “He had a plan and delivered it. Excellent growth in revenue, customers and with costs well controlled.”

FINANCE
Karen Burton, Newsquest (Warrington)

Judges said: “Our winner has had a busy year. Projects have included changes to the sales ledger and acquisition. On the communication side an internet site has been established for managers to access financial and statistical data.”

ADVERTISEMENT SALES
Shane Hodgson, Newsquest (Oxford)

Judges said: “The winner of the award led a team to produce excellent results in all criteria. As in Sales Executive of the Year Award, consistent growth and good performance over a number of years was recognised.”

PRINT
Ian Hunter, Newsquest (Sussex)

Judges said: “He has set about the technical and people issues, and has also been able to retain the balance between being an approachable manager and one who commands the utmost respect from his staff. He has transformed the press shall in the time he has been there.”

IT
Iain Johnson, Newsquest (Oxford/Wiltshire)

Judges said: “We considered a number of excellent submissions but decided the winner was an individual proposed by not one but two Managing Directors. He has done tremendous and unrecognised work for the Group over the past year.”

EDITORS
Peter Barron, Newsquest (Darlington)

Judges said: “He has exceeded every criteria in terms of leadership, inspiration, creativity, cost control and team work. However, I must makea special mention of his community involvement. This editor has a record second to none.”

NEWSPAPER SALES
Margaret Kerton, Newsquest (Southampton)

Judges said: “The winner emerged because of the range and variety of activities they had deployed on this daily title (Southern Daily Echo) and their own personal drive and leadership in making them successful.”

SALES EXECUTIVE
Maria McMann, Newsquest (Darlington)

Judges said: “Whilst all set high standards of achievement, the winner had a winning ingredient – consistency. In her 10th year with Newsquest she exceeded her target by 31 per cent – after exceeding last year’s target by 28 per cent.”

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